Chương 5: Fairy Finds

Human Realm — Summer Solstice — Sometime During the Middle Ages — Night of Prophecy Birth Celestia hated being on patrol but loved the Summer Solstice in this dimension. All around her, the forest sprouted with new life. Saplings and seedlings, flowers and buds, each one waking from its long nap eager to thrive and grow. She loved to watch the mothers with their own springtime blooms, tender little faces, facing a world so new.

The moonlight flickered through the branches, giving each new leaf a silver halo, while its muted light glistened off the delicate green tones of her wings. The brownish raven locks cascading down her back acted as natural camouflage. It was difficult for someone her size to maintain cover, flitting from one tree to the next while remaining unseen and unheard. Contrary to the mythology, she was not some pocket-sized princess; she was as tall as any human female.

It was her surefootedness, stealth and light step that kept her in the shadows. It was nearly impossible for mortal eyes to truly see her unless, of course, she wanted to be seen. Celestia stood in the shadows, watching as the human woman carried a tiny, wrapped bundle along the path. Curiosity getting the better of her, she wove in and out of cover silently, desperate for a glimpse of what the old woman held. She loved playing this game with humans.

She would sneak up behind them, mere inches away, and peek over their shoulder. Sometimes just for fun, she would make funny faces or whisper in their ear. By the time they felt her presence, she was already gone, and they would be left wondering who or what was watching. Celestia was quickly becoming bored. The old woman simply refused to bite. Despite all the antics she pulled behind her, the old woman remained oblivious to her presence.

Celestia was about to flit away and find more amusing things to do when the old woman stopped and turned suddenly. The woman looked over her shoulder, carefully scanning the woods. Celestia could feel her pulse quicken as the woman's eyes seemed to fixate directly on her. She held her breath for what felt like an eternity, watching the woman more closely. Relief washed over the young fairy as the old woman passed her by with a shrug. The woman was so close now that Celestia could reach out and touch her.

When she stopped abruptly, the fairy didn't dare move. She feared that even the slightest shift would cause the woman to focus a little more on where she stood. The old woman began pulling back the covering from the bundle she carried. Celestia leaned over the old woman's shoulder, curiosity tugging her closer as she peered at the bundle. It's a baby! Now, why would an old woman be carrying a baby into the forest? Especially in the middle of the night? A shiver of wrongness crawled up her spine.

She knew humans were an odd lot, but she had never seen this before. Fireflies danced in the dense forest as Celestia inched closer. She had to get a better look. The child turned its head to the side, giving her the first hint that something was wrong. No! She jumped back, snapping a twig. The old woman paused, glancing over her shoulder. Celestia froze, knowing that if she stayed perfectly still she would blend into the shrubbery. They can't be, she thought, her mind scrambling to make sense of what she saw.

This was the human realm. The ears should be round, not pointed like that. And the child's coloring was off too; it should be rosy pink, not tinged with blue. She didn't know much about human infants or any species of infant for that matter, but she did know that it was never good when a human baby was blue like that. Is it sick? she wondered. Is that why this old woman is out here in the middle of the night? In the deepest part of the forest? Is she looking for herbs to concoct a remedy?

It took everything in her not to cry out or snatch the child from the woman's arms to inspect it closer. Seraphina's words immediately sprung to mind. Interactions with the human species are strictly forbidden regardless of how desperate the situation seems to be. But if I could see what was wrong, I could by chance maybe guide her… Celestia froze as the child opened its eyes. It can't be. There is no way the prophecy is true!

The thought raced through her mind as she clapped a hand over her mouth to stifle a giddy cry. It was just a bedtime story that got out of control. There is no way? Is there? she thought, trying to reconcile fact with fantasy. This had to be the child the Ancient Ones foretold of eons ago. What if you're wrong? Her mind snapped. You're already on thin ice with the higher-ups, you can't afford to screw up… AGAIN! The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

She peered over the old woman's shoulder once more. She had to be sure. It has to be. Just look at those eyes! If you're right, this could get you on back on the boss's good side, especially after your screw up last week. Her mind argued. Those eyes, there was just no mistaking those. There was little doubt it had to be the child. Her mind began to whisper the lines…

'In shadows of a forgotten time, Where realm-walls crumble, boundaries unwind. Ancient powers stirring, long concealed, A bloodline's destiny now revealed. With eyes bluer than the deepest sea, It's all there locked in the universal memory.' She had no idea what it all meant, but there they were, with eyes bluer than the deepest sea. They were certainly unlike any blue she had ever seen. They seemed to be a beacon in the darkness, drawing her in… much like a moth to a flame.

Her heart raced as quickly as her mind spiraled out of control. She had not focused her studies on the old lore. While she was in school, she didn't see the practicality in studying ancient tales. What were the odds of any of it being true in the first place? The old tales said that at one time fairies could fly and had magical abilities too. She gave her wings a quick flap. Nope, still don't buy it.

"For Janus sake, Celestia, Focus!" She mumbled to herself realizing the woman had moved further away and was rounding the bend by the old standing stones. What is the old woman planning to do with the child? She hurried down the path to catch up before she lost her at the split by the stones. She knew that if her intent was to harm it, she would have to break the rules and show herself. Regardless of potential discovery, she was duty-bound to protect this precious baby.

"I'm sorry, wee lass, but your mother has already been cast out of the village by your creation. Now they will kill us all if they catch sight of you." Celestia heard the old woman whisper, her eyes filling with tears. Does she intend to kill the child? Celestia's heart raced at the thought, fear and panic taking over. I should go get Seraphina, she'll know exactly what to do, her mind screamed, No! I must stay!

If this woman so much as harms one hair on the child's head while you are gone, they will take your wings for sure this time! Celestia followed the woman closely, carefully staying out of sight, but all the while keeping her eyes focused on the baby. The old woman approached the ancient tree, clueless as to how old it truly was. This tree was different than the others. It was one of Celestia's favorites, standing proud, loyal and true.

She watched as the old woman used her hand to make a cross starting from her head, then chest then shoulder to shoulder. Celestia, not understanding when she had seen other humans do this, researched the custom and found it was a old human religious rite. The old woman's gaze looked sadly down at the bundle nestled in the crook of her arm. Gently she removed the baby and placed the bundled infant in the root ball of the majestic old tree.

"May God forgive me," the old woman whispered, turning to walk away. Celestia's heart raced when the old woman glanced over her shoulder at the tree, she was certain she had been spotted. Celestia held her breath as the old woman began to speak.

"If you are truly out there, please take the child to your realm," the old woman called out sadly to the forest.

"No babe deserves to meet an end such as this," the old woman said before wiping tears from her cheeks. Celestia remained in the shadows watching the old woman leave. Her arthritic steps took her farther and farther away. Celestia stared after her, the cruelty piercing her soul. She did not understand why the old woman would do such a thing to an innocent baby, especially one as special as this. Did she not know how sacred this child may be? How could she?

Her mind asked, she is but a silly human, filled with superstitious beliefs and a fear of what they don't understand. Luckily I was here to intervene. If harm fell to the child on my watch, my career at Fairy Central would be over. Finding and retrieving the prophesied child will show Seraphina exactly how capable I am. She thought looking down at the root-ball. She smirked as she leaned down to inspect the infant.

"Well, hello there," Celestia said softly as she reached into the root bundle for the baby and awkwardly pulled it out by the feet. She suddenly remembered something about supporting the head then put a gentle hand under the baby before picking it up.

"You've most certainly had an interesting day." She smiled as she picked the infant up and removed the towel covering its face.

"It's about to get even more interesting too, I imagine."

"My name is Celestia, what's yours?" she asked, slowly unwrapping the child.

"Are you hurt?" she asked, carefully inspecting the infant for any obvious signs of injury. The baby looked up at her. Its eyes wide and alert, blinking slowly.

"You don't say much, do you?" she asked, re-bundling the infant in the towel, certain she was injury-free.

"Well, we may need to get you some clean wrappings there Missy, it seems you have thoroughly soaked this one." She laughed. The child looked at her and grimaced.

"You have to forgive me, I don't generally do babies, so I'm afraid I'm not quite sure I know what I'm doing. If I do something wrong, please let me know." She looked confused at the infant. The infant looked back equally confused.

"You know it's rude to just not say anything, at all. I know you have had a trying day, being born and then left in the forest as a snack, but you're safe now." The baby looked up at her gently, her eyes now glimmering in the darkness.

"I'm sure being left in wet wrappings is a little uncomfortable, but no worries little one, we will have you cleaned up in some warm clothes in no time," she said. Watching the infant's eyes flutter closed.

"Yes, you rest for now. I know I don't feel much like talking when I'm tired either." Celestia quickly looked around to be sure she had no uninvited guests watching before she moved to the side of the tree. She carefully found the knot, closed her eyes, and pushed gently. The tree, as if welcoming an old friend, opened for her.

"Thank you, Shirley," she whispered, patting the tree. Celestia held the baby to her chest before making her way inside.

"Ready, Shirley!" she called out as the tree closed behind her.